Automatic fire-extinguishing apparatus



(N0 Model.) A

- N. LOMBARD. AUTOMATIC FIRE BXTINGUISHING APPARATUS. N5. 514,155.

Patented Feb. 6, 1894.

Y. ai.'

ITP/artic! JV@ E? @UNITED STATES PATENTv OFFICE.

NATHANIEL LOMBARD, OF BOSTON, ASSIGNOR OF OE-HALF TO HENRY A.

CLARK, OF BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS.

AUTOMATIC kFIFiE-EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 514,155, dated February 6, 1894.

` Application inea May 15,1893. serai No. 474,212. (Nt moda.)

Be it lnown that I, NATEANIEL LOMBARD,

. a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suifolk and State of Massachusetts, lhave invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Fire-Ex'- tinguishing Apparatus; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and ex act description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to automatic fire-extinguishing apparatus, particularly that class called the dry system in which the water-distributing pipe sectionscontain wateronlyin times of danger by fire.

My invention consists in improvements upon an invention relating to automatic ire extinguishing apparatus of the above class described under Serial No. 473,061, filed in my name on the 5th day of May1893. This apparatus consisted in a main pipe with wa ter distributing sections connected therewith, and an independent unbalanced valve for each section, together with mechanism for operating the valves by heat agency in order to extinguish incipientiires. In this inven tion the apparatus wasin fact only semi-aw tomatic, since after it was set in operation bythe heat from a re, it required manual adjustment in order to render it elcient to subdue another re.

My present invention is embodied in improvements by which the apparatus is rendered entirely and completely automatic. Brieiiy stated, the apparatus is a dry system, and is composed of a main supply pipe, a se ries of water-distributing sections, and independent valvesl for each section, said valves being unbalanced and controlled in their positions each by an operating pipe connected with the main supply. Further in mechanism by which said operating pipe is opened by heat agency to change thereby the position of the independent valve and so supply water to the distributing pipe sections, conversely, upon cessation of such heat, to close the operating pipe, and so compel the pressure of the main system to shut the independent valve.

Other noticeable characteristics and functions of the several parts will be hereinafter fully set forth and explained.

The drawings represent in Figure 1 a vertical sectional elevation of a fire extinguishing apparatus, as applied to an apartment and embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the valve-case and valve enlarged. Fig. 4 is a similar view of the valve and valve case with a slight modification in the construction.

In said drawings I have shown automatic hre-extinguishing apparatus adapted for the several ioors of a mill or business block. Each room, as shown in Fig. 1, contains the main supply pipe 2, which extends throughout the building; interconnected therewith are a series of water-distributing sections 3 composed of a branch tube 4 and laterals 5, either perforated or supplied with sprinklers 6. These sections are always open and empty except when a. lre occurs. At such times they serve to distribute water supplied from the main by means of independent valves 7 one for each pipe section 3. In general apparatus of this class, to wit: the dry .pipe system-has been semi-automatic, in' other words it required manual'gadjustment after a fire in order to make it operative a second time. The gist of my invention is to render the apparatus completely automatic. To this end I provide a double piston unbalanced valve 7, the smaller piston 8 controls the passage from the main pipe to the open pipe sections 3. The larger piston Sis to exceed in area the small one sufticientlyto hold the latter closed against the pressure in the main supply pipe. Preferably in carrying out my invention I locate the piston 8 in a water-tight vessel 9, which has a dierential supply and discharge. The supply consisting of a duct or small .tube 10, which connects with the main 2, while the dischargel is composed of a larger closed pipe 12, adapted to be opened by heat agency and closed upon vremoval or cessation of said heat factor.

To control the discharge pipe 12 I have located a valve 13 of any desired form, and fur- IOO ther supplied an operating pipe 14. This latter is preferably a hermetically sealed pipe to contain some highly volatile liquid; for every pipe section 3 I have supplied one of these operating pipes, which may be extended in any direction in the room, where danger from re is liable to occur. Thus it is evident, when a fire commences that the heat generated will volatilize the contents of the closed operating pipe and create pressure therewithin. In order to utilize this force incited by the iire I have attached a Bourdon spring 15 at one end and united it with the valve-rod of the valve 13 in such manner that when a fire occurs said valve is opened and Water is allowed to discharge from the heretofore closed pipe 12. But as the latter allows water to pass away from the chamber in the vessel 9 faster than it can enter through the tube 10 the pressure upon the piston S is reduced. The valve at once is forced from its seat by the pressure in the main and water from the latter rushes in and fills the water distributing pipe sections 3.

To close the valves 7 automatically after extinction of a fire I furnish small lugs or bosses upon the under face of the piston 8 or provide any other means by which to maintain aspace for Water therebeneath. Upon cessation of the heat from the fire and cooling of the operating pipe 14 the pressure in the latter gradually diminishes as the volatile liquid again condenses. Movementof the Bourdon spring ensues and the valve 13 closes; simultaneously therewith the duct supplies water to the chamber until the pressure of the main is again established,when the independent valve 7 is actuated and communication between said main and the water-distributing pipe sections 3 is cut off, leaving the latter empty as before the fire.

Within the chamber of the water-tight vessel 10 is located a check-valve 24, which pre vents Water passing back into the main should the pressure in the latter be much reduced, or in the event of shutting off the water in the main, if repairs are needed. Thus the independent valves are all held in place, since the maximum main pressure is continued in the vessel 10 at such times.

To carry 0E leakage from either valve should such take place, a recess is formed at 18 and a waste pipe 20 therefrom conducts the water away and prevents it from dr0pping to the door, and causing damage.

What I claim is- 1. In automatic fire extinguishing apparatus, the combination with a main supply pipe, groups of open Water distributing pipe sections, and independent unbalanced valves for each section, of a water tight vessel having a differential supply and discharge, and a permanently closed pipe system for volatile fluid, said pipe system extending about a structure or building to be protected and adapted to open said discharge by heat agency and close the same upon cessation of such heat, whereby movement of the unbalanced valves occurs, substantially as specified.

2. In apparatus for extinguishing fires, the combination with a main supply pipe, and branch sections of open pipes, a closed vessel connected with the main pipe, an unbalanced valve operated by the main pressure to prevent water from entering the open pipe sections, a discharge fitted with a Waste valve, and a permanently closed operating pipe to contain volatile fluid and extending about an apartment to be protected, and adapted to open and close said discharge, respectively upon the presence or absence of heat units, substantially as and for purposes explained.

3. In automatic fire extinguishing appa ratus, a main pipe, a series of open branch pipe sections, a water tight vessel having a supply duct connected with the main, and a discharge pipe furnished with a waste valve, combined with a permanently closed operating pipe to contain volatile fluid and extending about a room in a structure to be protected, an unbalanced valve for each pipe section, and mechanism actuated bythe closed operating pipe to shift the said waste valve, whereby the pressure in the Water tight vessel is reduced or increased by the presence or absence of heat units, and movement of the unbalanced valve is produced, substantially as described and stated.

4. The combination with a water-tight vessel having differential supply and discharge pipes, and an unbalanced valve, the larger piston of which receives the pressure within the vessel, of a permanently closed operating pipe to contain volatile iuid and adapted to extend about an apartment in a building, and mechanism actuated by the contents of the operating pipe to open and close the Waste valve positively and automatically, substantially as stated.

5. In apparatus for extinguishing fires, a main pipe, open branch sections, independent unbalanced valves for each section, and a water-tight vessel which contains the larger piston of each unbalanced valve, combined with a duct from the main to supply said vessel, a check-valve to prevent outtlow of liquid from said vessel to the main, a discharge pipe equipped with a Waste valve, a permanently closed operating pipe extending about a door of a building to be protected and to contain volatile fiuid, and a Bourdon spring which actuates the waste-valve, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

NATHANIEL LOMBARD.

Witnesses:

H. E. LODGE, FRANCIS C. STANWooD. 

